A report in OnMedica notes that the recently approved revisions to the European procurement directive promise to simplify government procurement in the health sector:
A European Parliament vote approving new EU rules on public procurement will make the buying of health services easier, say health employers and commissioners.
The NHS Confederation’s European Office, has welcomed the new Directive stating that it will make the process of purchasing goods and services by public bodies – including NHS organisations – ‘faster, more flexible and more effective’.
Some of the main changes for the NHS include:
- There will be a new ‘light-touch regime’ for health, social, educational and other similar service contracts above a new €750,000 threshold. The specifics of how this will operate will be left largely up to the UK Government to determine.
- For the first time, there is an exclusion to allow public bodies to pool their resources without always having to go out to tender.
- There will be a possibility to reserve health, social and educational contracts to employee mutuals and social enterprises only, provided certain conditions are met.
The NHS Confederation says the EU Directive also includes a ‘more flexible competitive negotiated procedure, allowing public bodies greater ability to negotiate with suppliers.’ It claims this should help NHS organisations buy innovative products and services.
